Machine for making golf tees



\ June 17, 1930. F. o. FISH MACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF mus Filed Oct. 29,1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 17, 1930. F. o. FISH momma FOR MAKING GOLFTEES Filed Oct 29, 19 27 4 sheets-sheet 2 June 17, 1930. F. o; FISHMACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF TEES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001:. 29, 1927Biz/017505 6 06% u, ll gaf w, A

June 17, 1930. F. o. FISH MACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF TEES N \l w I ||1 Fm.RN I i: I J k \I %n away w mi Patented June 17, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FREDO. FISH, OF WINCHESTER, MASS ACHUSETTS MACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF TEESApplication filed .October 29, 1927. Serial No. 229,768.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of golf tees. Theobject of the invention is the production of golf tees of the peg typefrom blanks of suitable sheet material, such as paper. More particularlythe object of the invention is the production of the golf tee formingthe subject-matter of my application for patent filed December 1, 1925,Serial No. 72,509 on which Patent No.

1,647,440, issued November 1, 1927.

In carrying out the invention a conical mandrel is provided upon whichthe blank is rolled, the apex angle of the mandrel cone being preferablysuch that the height of the cone is at least four times the basediameter. To this mandrel a blank is presented of such shape that theside wall of the cone formed from the blank consists of a plurality ofthicknesses of the blank. The blank is so positioned with relation tothe mandrel that during the winding of the blank about the mandrel asharp point is produced at the cone apex. Preferably this sharp point isproduced by so locating the blank with relation 35 to the mandrel thatthe straight edge of the blank forms a point during the first portion ofthe rolling operation and then, due to the increasing diameter of thecone being formed from the blank, the straight edge recedes from thecone point and forms a spiral line on the outer surface of the cone. Byproviding a mandrel of substantially the dimensions spec ified, and byrolling the blank as stated a cone-shaped peg is formed which is sharpenough and sufficiently slender to puncture the ground for some distancewithout requiring an undue amount of pressure to force it into positionand the wall of this peg between the base and the apex, even when theblank used is of paper, is stiff enough to withstand the pressureexerted on the base in forcing it into the ground. At the base of thecone a suitable ball supporting surface or rim is formed in any desiredmanner. Preferably, however, this ball supporting surface is formed byflaring the cone outwardly at its base so that a flare or flange isprovided which presents a smooth surface against which the thumb may bepressed in forcing the cone into the round and a wide and secure supportis a orded for the ball.

As to its broader features, the invention is not limited to cutting theblank to shape at any specified time, it being immaterial, 58 so far asthese features are concerned, as to whether the blank is cut to shapebefore, during or after the rolling operation. It is merely essentialthat in the completed tee the blank be of such a shape, that the wall is60 formed of a plurality of thicknesses, that a sharp point is formed atthe cone apex and that a ball supporting surface is provided at the.cone base. In a machine embodying the several features of the inventionin their 5 preferred form, however, the blanks are supplied from acontinuous web whichis fed automatically into the machine and from whichblanks of the proper shape are formed and presented successively to themandrel. '70 In addition to the features of the invention referred toabove, the'present invention also consists in certain constructions,combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described andclaimed, the advantages of which will be clearly understood from aninspection of the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated amachine embodying the several features of the invention in theirpreferred form.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of themachine. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine taken on theline 2-2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is across sectional view of the machine on the line H of Fig. 3,illustrating particularly the cutter and its actuating mechanism. Fig. 5is a cross sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, illustrating themechanism for rotating the mandrel. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view onthe line 66 of Fig. 3, illustrating the mechanism for feeding the web.Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view illustrating a portion of themechanism for rotating and reciprocating the mandrel. Fig. 8 is a detailsectional view illustrating the forward end of the mandrel, the flangingtool, and the flanging tool carrier and stripper. Fig. 9 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 8 but showing the mandrel retracted within the strippercarrier. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional plan view illustrating theforward end of the mandrel, together with the stripper carrier. Fig. 11is a detail cross sectional view on the line 1111 of Fig. 8. Fig. 12 isa detail cross sectional view on the line 1212 of Fig. 8. Fig. 13 isadetail sectionalview taken on the line 1313 of Fig. 14, illustratingthe position of the parts with the mandrel in the matrix just before themandrel starts to rotate to wind the blank about the mandrel. Fig. 14 isa detail view showing in end elevation the matrix, the blank cutter andmoistener. Figs. 15, 16

and 17 are views illustrating somewhat dia-- grammatically the manner inwhich the blank is rolled about the mandrel, and provided at its basewith an outwardly extending flange. I

. Referring to Fig. 17 the tee which is produced by the machineillustrated in the drawings is indicated'at 18. This tee is formed fromthe blank 19 illustrated in Fig. 15 by being rolled upon the conicalmandrel indicated at 20. The blank as illustrated is of general sectorshape, being substantially semi-circular. The curvature at the righthand side of the blank, however, is on a shorter radius than thecurvature at the left hand side of the blank for reasons to be presentlyexplained. To form the blank into the cone-shaped tee illustrated inFig. 17 the blank is first positioned with relation to the mandrel asindicated in Fig. 15. This brings the apex of the cone formed by theside elements of the mandrel cone substantially on the straight edge ofthe blank. The blank is now clamped to the mandrel, as will bedescribed, and the mandrel is rotated. During the first revolution and aportion of the second revolution, the right" hand portion of the blankis wound around the mandrel and a'sharp point is formed by the straightedge of the blank. The external diameter of the cone which has beenformed by the right hand portion of the blank is now considerablygreater than the diameter of the mandrel cone and consequently the apexis somewhat beyond the apex of the mandrel cone. As a consequence,during the continued rotation of the mandrel the straightedge of theblank recedes from the apex and as the blank is completely wound uponthe mandrel forms a spiral line on the outer surface of the cone. Thisleaves the point ofthe completed tee sharp and formed by substantiallyone thickness of the blank. On account of the shorter radius ofcurvature at the right hand side of the blankthe leading end of thecurved edge of the blank lies below the base of the cone in thecompleted tee, and thus does not form an obstruction interfering withthe proper seating of the ball on the tee when the tee is used. Also thelonger radius of curvature at the left hand side of the blank compensatefor the increasing diameter of the tee during its formation and causesthe final end of the curved edge of the blank to come substantiallyflush with the base of the cone.

As illustrated in Fig. 17, the completed tee is provided with an outwardflare or flange 21 at its base. In the machine illustrated this flare orflange is formed during the operation of rolling the blank around themandrel, a flanging tool 22 being provided which engages the curved edgeof the blank as it is rolled about the mandrel and turns said edgeoutwardly by substantially a spinning operation. The blank illustratedin the drawings is of paper, coated on its upper side with gum, glue orother suitable adhesive and prior to rolling the blank about the mandrelthe gummed surface of the blank is moistened. The blank as it is rolledinto cone form is, therefore, somewhat in temper and responds readily tothe action of the flaring tool.

To enable the blank to be clamped to the mandrel at the start of therolling operation the conical portion of the mandrel, as illustrated inthe drawings, is formed on the forward ends of two longitudinallyextending sections 23 arranged to provide between them a slotto receivethe edge of the paper blank. Each section 23 at its rear end is providedwith a tongue which is received in a slot cut in the forward end of abar 24 and pivotally connected to the bar by a pivot pin 25. Thesections 23 of the mandrel are acted upon by a spring 26 seated inrecesses in the adjacent faces of the sections which spring tends toseparate the sections and thus keep the slot open sufiiciently toreceive the blank. The separating movement of the sections 23 under theforce of the spring 26 is limited by projections 27 which extendrearwardly from the sections over the bar 24.

Cooperating. with the conical mandrel in rolling the blank about themandrel is a matrix 28 formed by blocks 29 and 30. The in-' ternalsurface of this matrix, as illustrated, is in the form of a four-sidedpyramid, the opposite walls of which are arranged at an angle to eachother corresponding to the apex angle of the cone mandrel. This matrixis located in the machine in alignment with the longitudinal axis of themandrel so that the mandrel can be moved longitudinally into and out ofengagement with the walls of the matrix. Atone side the matrix blocks 29and 30 are slotted as indicated at 31 to permit the blank to be fed intoposition in the matrix. When the blank is in position in the matrix itextends diametrically across the matrix and is located in alignment withthe slot between the members 23 of the mandrel cone. The blank .is fedinto the proper position in the matrix, as will be hereinafterdescribed, and when-in such position a longitudinal movement is impartedto the mandrel to cause the sections 23 of the mandrel to pass above andbelow the blank and contact with the walls of the matrix, and thus beforced together to grip the blank. After the blank is thus gripped themandrel is rotated as will be hereinafter described and during such rotation the blank is held pressed against the mandrel by the side walls ofthe matrix. Several layers of the blank are wrapped about the mandrel,and in orderto accommodate the increased diameter of the cone formedfrom the blank, the block 30 of the matrix is yieldingly mounted on theblock 29, rods 32 being provided which extend downwardly through holesin the block 30 into the block 29 and being surrounded by springs 33interposed between the block 30 and the upper ends of the rods.

As the blank is rolled about the mandrel the curved edge of the blankwhich forms the base of the completed tee is acted upon by the flangingtool 22. This flanging tool comprises a bar mounted in a recess in aflanging tool carrier 34. The flanging tool carrier is mounted in themachine frame to have a limited movement with the mandrel and when themandrel is moved into the matrix, as illustrated in Fig. 13, theflanging tool carrier is brought into close proximity to the mouth ofthe matrix in the blocks 29 and 30 so that the flanging tool is inposition to act on the curved edge of the blank as the blank is rolledaround the mandrel, as indicated in Fig. 16. When in operating position,as indicated in Figs. 13 and 16, the flanging tool.

forces the curved edge of the blank outwardly and cooperates with asurface at the mouth of the matrix to set the out-turned flange inposition.

After theblank has been rolled around the mandrel and has been formedinto the completed tee the mandrel is withdrawn from the matrix,carrying the completed tee with it. During this rearward movement of themandrel the flanging tool carrier 34 moves with the mandrel until themandrel has been completely removed from the matrix. The carrier thenstops and the mandrel continues its movement so that the cone portion ofthe mandrel withdraws within the carrier 34as indicated in Fig. 9.During this movement of the mandrel with relation to the carrier 34 theedge of the opening at the left hand end of the carrier acts as astripper to eject the completed tee from the mandrel and allow thesections 23 of the mandrel to separate ready to advance again intoengagement with another blank.

To enable the sections 23 to separate slightly during the forwardmovement of the mandrel from the position indicated in Fig. 9 to thatindicated in Fig. 8 the sections are reduced in diameter to some extentback of the cone portion of the mandrel. This perof the carrier 34 toclosely fit the base of the cone portion of the mandrel during itsejecting action on the completed tee.

hile the completed tee is being stripped from the cone portion of themandrel it is de sirable that the flanging tool 22 be Withdrawn so asnot to project beyond the stripping edge of the carrier 34 and thusindent the base of the tee. To secure this result the flanging tool 22is connected at its rear end to the carrier 34 by a pin 35 which passesthrough a slot in the carrier. This permits a longitudinal movement ofthe flanging tool with. relation to the carrier so that it can move fromthe operative position indicated in Fig. 8 to the inoperative positionindicated in Fig. 9. To move it into the operative position and hold itthere during the flanging operation a projection 36 is formed on each ofthe sections 23 of the mandrel which are arranged to engage a projection37 on the flanging tool. During the retracting movement of the mandrelinto the flanging tool carrier to eject the completed tee theprojections 36 move away from the projection 37 of the flanging tool andpermit the pressure of the tee against the end of the flanging tool tomove the flanging tool backwardly into the carrier.

The mandrel is reciprocated longitudinally and rotated and the flangingtool carrier 34 is moied in the manner above described by mechanismwhich comprises a driving shaft 38 and suitable connections between thisshaft and the mandrel. These connections comprise a cam 39 on the shaft38 and a cam 40 F on a cross shaft 41 driven through bevel gears fromtheshaft 38. The cam 39 opermeshing with a pinion 44 on a shaft 45 towhich is also secured a wide gear 46. This wide gear. 46 meshes withapinion 47 on a sleeve 48 to which is secured the rear end of the bar 24carrying the mandrel sections 23. By these connections during onerevolution of the driving shaft 38 approximately six complete rotationsin each direction are imparted to the mandrel.

The longitudinal movements are imparted to the mandrel from the cam 40.This cam actuates a lever 49 the lower end of which has a pin and slotconnection with a bar 50 mounted to slide at its right hand end asviewed in Figs. 1 and 2 in a bearing in the machine frame. The left handend of the bar 50 (see Fig. 7 extends within the sleeve 48 and isprovided with a bushing 51 snugly fitting the interior of the sleeve andsecured to the bar by screws 52. A bearing block 53 is provided for thebar 50 within the sleeve 48 and is held in the sleeve by a set screw 54.At its extreme end within the sleeve 48 the bar 50 is provided with aflange 55, and thrust bearings formed by balls 56 and 57 are providedfor taking the end thrust in each direction beits tween the bar and thesleeve 48. 'lVith this construction the sleeve 48 together with the bar24 and mandrel 20 connected thereto are moved positively back and forthin a longitudinal direction and at the same time are allowed to rotateindependently of the bar 50.

The flanging tool carrier 34 is mounted to slide back and forth in themachine frame between the positions indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 and isheld from rotary movement by a spline connection with the frame. The bar24 which carries on its forward end the mandrel sections 23 is mountedto rotate and move longitudinally in a bearing in the rear portion ofthe carrier 34. A spring 58 acts upon the carrier to return it to theposition indicated in Fig. 9. Thespring 58 is best shown in Figs. 1, 2and 8, being interposed between an upward projection 59 on the frame ofthe machine and a projection 60 from the rear flanged end of thecarrier, a guide rod 61 being provided for supporting the spring, fixedto the projection 60 and ex tending through a bar in the projection 59.The movement of the carrier 34 under the force of the spring 58 islimited by the engagement of the flanged forward end of the carrier withthe frame of the machine, as indicated in Fig. 9.

To move the carrier 34 from the position indicated in Fig. 9, to thatindicated in Fig. 8 the sleeve 48 is arranged to engage a series ofcushioning washers 62 loosely mounted on the rod 24 and interposedbetween the sleeve and a thrust block 63 at the endof the carrier 34,said thrust block being mounted to rotate with relation to the carrier34 and being separated from the end of the carrier by a ball thrustbearing 64. Vith this construction during the first portion of thelongitudinal movement of the rod 24 and mandrel sections 23 to the left,the fia-nging tool carrier 34 remains stationary. After the mandrelsections have advanced with relation to the carrier 34 to the extentindicated in Fig. 8 the block 34 is engaged and is moved with themandrel to the positions indicated in Figs. 8 and 13.

In the machine illustrated in the drawings the blanks 19 are formed froma continuous web of gummed paper which is supplied from a reel 65. Theweb leads from the reel along a supporting surface formed on the machineframe and passes first beneath a guide plate 66, then beneatha feedroll. 67, then beneath a guiding pressure plate 68, then beneath acutter 69, and finally to the matrix. The various mechanisms-of themachine are so timed that the web is fed forward to bringits leading endinto proper position in the matrix while the cutter is raised and whilethe mandrel is away from the matrix. After the web has been so fedforward and while the web is stationary the mandrel is advanced into thematrix and grasps the blank. The cutter 69 then descends and severs theweb, the cull :1 being shaped, as clearly illustrated in the drawings,to cut out and discharge a piece from the web so as simultaneously toform the rear end of the blank which is engaged by the mandrel and theleading end of the next blank. The upper surface of the web is thegnmmed surface and in order to properly moisten the portion of the blankwhich is rolled about the mandrel after the mandrel has made its firstturn, a moistening device, indicated at 70, is provided, consisting of asuitable receptacle secured to the cutter 69 and provided with asuitable moisture applying pad. This pad remains in engagement with theblank and presses it against the supporting surface between the cutterand the matrix while the rear portion of the blank is being drawn intothe matrix.

To actuate the feed roll 67 a ratchet wheel 71 is provided on the shaftof the roll and a cooperating pawl 72 mounted on a pawl carrying armwhich is connected by a link '73 to a le\'er 74 actuated from a cam 75on the driving sha 't 38. v

Theknife 69 consists of a block provided with suitably shaped edgescooperating with cutting edges formed on the guideway over which the webpasses. This block is mounted to slide on a vertical guide-way formed inthe machine frame and is connected by means of a link 7 6 to a lever 77which is actuated from a cam 78 on the driving shaft.

The operation of the machine illustrated in the drawings has beenindicated in connection with the description of the construction andarrangement of the various parts and will be readily understood withouta separate description thereof.

The object and nature of the present invention having been indicated anda machine embodying the several features of the invention having beenspecifically described, what is claimed is: j

l. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination means forrolling a sector shaped blank into a. sharp pointed cone shaped tee andmeans for forming an outwardly extending ballsupporting flange at thebase of the cone.

2. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel, means cooperating therewith to roll a sector shaped blank intoa sharp pointed cone shaped tee about the mandrel, and a flanging toolarranged to engage theblank while on the mandrel and form an outwardlyextending ball supporting flange at the base of the cone.

3. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel having longitudinally extending sections providing a blankreceiving slot between them and being relatively movable radially togrip the blank, a matrix to receive the mandrel and hold its sections ingripping engagement with a blank and press the blank against the mandrelas the mandrel is rotated to roll the blank about the mandrel, means formoving the mandrel into and out of the matrix and means for rotating themandrel.

4. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel having longitudinally extending sections providing a blankreceiving slot between them and being relatively movable radially togrip the blank, and a pressure device arranged to bear against themandrel and cause its sections to grip a blank and cooperate with themandrel in rolling a blank about the mandrel.

5. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination a conicalmandrel, means cooperating therewith to roll a sector shaped blank intoa sharp pointed cone shaped tee about the mandrel, and a flanging toolarranged to engage the curved edge of the blank as it is rolled aboutthe mandrel and spin an outwardly extending ball supporting flange atthe base of the cone.

6. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, aconicalmandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, amatrix to receive the mandrel, means for moving the mandrellongitudinally into and out of the matrix, means for rotating themandrel while in the matrix to roll a blank into a cone about themandrel, and means for ejecting the cone from the mandrel after beingwithdrawn from the matrix.

7. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a matrix toreceive the mandrel, means for moving the mandrel longitudinally intoand out of the matrix, means for rotating the mandrel while in thematrix to roll a blank into a cone about the mandrel and a strippercooperating With the mandrel during its continued movement after beingWithdrawn from the matrix to eject the cone from the mandrel.

8. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a pressuredevice cooperating with the mandrel to roll a blank into a cone aboutthe mandrel, means for moving the mandrel longitudinally into and out ofengagement with the pressure device, and means for rotating the mandrel.

9. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a pressuredevice cooperating with the mandrel to roll a blank into a cone aboutthe mandrel, means for feeding a web of sheet material to locate a blankat the leading end of the web in position to be rolled into a cone withits apex in a straight edge of the web, and means for severing the blankfrom the web after being so located.

10. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a pressuredevice cooperating with the mandrel to roll ablank into a cone about themandrel, means for feeding a web of sheet material to locate a blank atthe leading end of the web in position to be rolled into a cone with itsapex in a straight edge of the web, and cutting mechanism for severingthe blank from the web after being so located, constructed to completethe rear end of a substantially semicircular shaped blank and form theleading end of a similarly shaped blank.

11. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, means forcutting from a web a series of semicircularly shaped blanks, a conicalmandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, a pressure device cooperatingwith the mandrel to roll a blank into a cone about the mandrel and meansfor locating each blank in succession in position to be rolled into acone with its apex in the straight edge of the blank.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRED O. FISH.

